Tough first test for Frankie Lim in coaching comeback as Altas take on Stags in D-League

Frankie Lim leads the Altas to battle just a week after taking over as head coach. Jerome Ascano

FRANKIE Lim officially returns to coaching when the Perpetual Help Altas take on Che'Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian on Monday in the PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup.

The match starts at 4 p.m. at the Pasig City Sports Center after the curtain-raiser pitting Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare against Go for Gold.

Although the Altas only had a week to prepare for the tournament under him, Lim is hopeful his team will hold its own against Che'Lu Bar and Grill, whose Stags' core is reinforced by Aaron Jeruta and Samboy de Leon.

"Medyo cramming kami. I was just appointed as the head coach last week and I’ll have to make do with the team that I saw pagdating ko dito," said the multi-titled mentor.

"We’ll just have to make the best out of it."

Also hoping to carve out his first win is Go for Gold coach Charles Tiu, who will lean on his young St. Benilde core bolstered by Kent Salado, J-Jay Alejandro, Matt Salem and former PBA player Jerwin Gaco

Tiu will need all hands on deck as the Scratchers go to war against the Aris Dionisio-led Coffee Lovers at 2 p.m.

"We’re hoping to compete against them because we’re a very young team and they are a team that’s been together for a while. It’s going to be a tough challenge for us,” said Tiu.